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Chester gets into 'Storm Mode'

Chester was in the eye of the storm last week, as the Channel 4 KMOV TV Storm Mode Tour blew into town and drew a flood of attendees from across the region.

Chester Grade School hosted the event, which featured personalities from the popular St. Louis TV station's weather team. Principal Tim Lochhead noted what had been planned as a local event brought about 650 people from across southern Illinois.

"I met a lot of people tonight as expected, but was somewhat shocked to meet so many people from so many different towns from across southern Illinois," Lochhead said, adding some people came from an hour away. "I was very happy to host such a wide range of visitors from our neighbors across the region."

The Storm Mode Tour introduced residents to members of the KMOV Storm Team, Steve Templeton, Meghan Danahey, Kristen Cornett, Matt Cambers and Kent Ehrhardt. A reception line gave residents a chance to get autographs and receive free giveaways. The crowd also watched the team do their evening 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. weather reports live from the school gymnasium, often bringing members from the audience into the reports.

At other times throughout

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the three-hour period, members of the team would walk through the gym and do videotaped segments with guests with weather trivia questions. There was always a winner in the trivia games and gifts were awarded for participation.

The tour concluded with the Storm Mode show, where the audience got to learn more about the individual team members as they shared their lives and interest with the crowd.

The general interest in weather and the TV personalities were main reasons for the large crowds.

"I am very interested in storm safety," said Rosemary Collins of Red Bud. "This is my third Storm Mode event. I want to know everything I can about weather safety. Of course, I really like Steve Templeton!"

Lynette Elceser came all the way from Smithton.

"I got to meet all five of the Storm Mode Team and received some nice giveaways," she said.

Lochhead said the school was selected as a tour stop from a referral by Chester Mayor Tom Page after he was contacted by KMOV's marketing department.

"I suggested that they try to host it at Chester Grade School," Page said. "CGS has the newest gym in Chester and I thought Mr. Lochhead would be interested in hosting such a big event. It has all worked out very well."

KMOV morning show host and comedian Steve Harris came to Chester to the day before the tour to visit several locations to get the audience "fired-up" about the tour coming to Chester. Harris did several live TV broadcasts throughout the day from Chester locations, such as the Popeye statue, Reid's Harvest House, Jodie's Farm House Café and Chester High School where he did the morning announcements on Thursday.

Chester High School Principal, Missy Meyer said when he heard Harris was going to be in Chester doing live broadcasts, she asked him to stop by CHS.

"He came and did our morning announcements over the PA system," Meyer said.

Heath Carry, design and promotions director for the Storm Mode Tour said the station has been through many towns over the years that they've done the tour.

"We have really enjoyed visiting Chester," Carry said. "Everyone has been so welcoming and you have such a huge crowd tonight."

Dave Eggemeyer of Chester stands at the autograph table as Kent Ehrhardt, Matt Chambers and Kristen Cornett talk to Lexus Iverson, 8th grade; Brooklyn Adams, 8th grade; Taylor Doll, kindergarten; and Ariel Freeman, 1st grade. Jim Beers Photo
Ray Robinson of Coulterville talks to Meghan Danahey of the KMOV Storm Mode Team at the 2018 Storm Mode Tour hosted at Chester Grade School. Robinson answered a trivia question correctly earning himself a new Storm Mode umbrella. Jim Beers Photo
Fifth grade students from Stephanie Kennedy's class and Mary Bohnert's classes at Chester Grade School attended the 2018 KMOV Storm Mode Tour, where they got to spend time with KMOV TV personality Steve Templeton. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead, left, and Chester Mayor Tom Page were instrumental in bringing the KMOV Channel 4 Storm Mode Tour to CGS on Feb. 22. Jim Beers Photo
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